Merriam Webster defines the American Dream as an “American social ideal.” In other words, it’s America’s version of a utopia, symbolizing the promise of equal rights, opportunities and newfound wealth, that belongs to many immigrants seeking a new life in the United States. As children of immigrants, my peers had a lot to say on the topic. While “American Dream” can be found in the dictionary, there is no one definition which defines the diverse experiences of immigrants.
Every year, Katherine Parker, the world history and psychology teacher at Centennial, tasks her HUM 1 class with writing about their family story. For some, it’s just another assignment to be completed, turned in, and graded. However, some of my classmates were eager to share these narratives; determined to take this opportunity to share their stories.
Although coming from a vast majority of countries —be it India, Brazil, or Turkey— each family had the same destination, searching for the same thing. According to the promises of the American Dream, when it comes to opportunities, the US is the wealthiest.
“America is the land of the free,” Centennial freshman Alara Kocoglu, a daughter of Turkish immigrants, remarks. “Anything can come true.”
However, starting a new life in the United States didn’t always mean leaving their old one behind. Thanks to their families, many students, despite never living anywhere but the States, still feel a deep connection with their background.
“I’m very proud of my heritage,” one student said. She points to her water bottle, which sports a Bulgarian soccer team’s logo. “I always carry this,” she said, smiling as she described how her interests, such as soccer, connect her to the country where her father grew up.
Nandana Ratheesh, whose parents immigrated from India, reflected how her childhood consisted of the same cultural traditions her parents’ experienced. This could be anywhere from holidays to what they eat for breakfast. “I do the same things as they did as a kid, but with a new mindset of growing up here,” she adds.
The blend of being an American child with a unique family background is both inspiring and challenging. While some say that they get to experience the best of both, all described the disconnect they feel between family members. Not only do they miss opportunities to spend time with loved ones, but they often don’t feel as if they fit in with the rest of the family. Almost, as if, as put by freshman Rayka Service, they were on the “outside looking in.”
“I never fully fit in with Indian culture because I have such a heavy American influence,” freshman Esha Hegde summarizes.
Many students feel the need to be perfect, hoping that by being successful they can return their parents’ efforts.
“If you don’t do something with your life, you would feel like a failure,” Ratheesh expressed. The strive to “become something worth their [parents’] effort” can be overwhelming.
Some children of immigrants take their parents’ journey to the States as inspiration. A freshman describes their Brazilian mother’s journey to the US, as an endeavor taken by herself for herself. They reflect how their mother’s defiance of the status quo inspired them to follow their own ambitions.
While each student had a different story to tell, they all identified a similar impact their background had on their lives. By connecting to American culture as well as the culture of their family, students at Centennial are able to develop connections with other people – no matter their background.
Having a family who lived in many different countries, Service remarks how the different cultures that made up her childhood strengthened her empathy. “It’s a beautiful thing,” Service said as she discussed the value of immigration.
Ratheesh thinks these stories matter. As she says, “America isn’t just the people who’ve been living here for a lot of generations.” What really matters is that we approach everyone with love, and keep an open mind. Afterall, like Service says, “we’re all human.”
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